July 14, 2025 -- Ephesians 5:1 -- Who are you imitating?
/People loved by the Father, in the Spirit’s power: Sh’ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. Ephesians 5:1 ESV
A friend of mine brought his 10-year-old son to a church leadership meeting. The son loved his dad. His father, who was speaking at the meeting, stood up and made motions and gestures with his hands. Seated beside him, watching intently, was his son. He was making the same motions and gestures after his dad, copying him as closely as he could. He was completely unselfconscious about it. He was just loving his dad and copying him. That is what I think of when I read Ephesians 5:1. Our love for God is that of beloved children, copying the actions of our beloved Father. No matter what anyone else thinks or says, He is our hero and our pattern.
Our Father in heaven has made Himself known through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the perfect elder brother. He is loving. He has sacrificed Himself so that we, younger brothers and sisters, might know the fullest extent of our Father’s love. Jesus, Who has known the Father from eternity past has revealed Him. Jesus, Who fully shares our humanity, showed us how to love God in the ordinary rough and tumble of life.
Jesus was mocked. He turned to His Father in heaven.
Jesus was insulted. He quoted the Scriptures, knowing that in them He was shielded.
Jesus was betrayed. The Spirit of God was upon Him without measure and He was comforted.
Dear fellow believers, when we are mocked for our faith in Jesus Christ, like Him, we turn to God in prayer. When we are insulted for His Name’s sake, read the Word. There are laments in the Psalms, which give expression to the brokenness of the heart. You will find comfort in every part of the word of God. Read until you know the presence of Him Who loves you. Jesus was betrayed. That will happen in our lives. Jesus told His followers, if the world hated Him it will also hate all who follow Him. Furthermore, sin has such a strong grip on us, that we will betray Him also. But the Spirit of God is given to believers. The Spirit of God lives in you and is destroying all the works of evil. The Spirit of God helps you to see your sin, to hate it. Confessing it and repenting of it, you will once again walk in fellowship with God as beloved children.
Father in heaven, thank You for Your great love. By the powerful presence of Your Spirit in us, help us to look carefully how we walk, so we will not walk as unwise, but as wise children, making the best use of the time we have, because these days are evil. Father, fill us again with Your Spirit so that we will always be directed to Jesus, in Whom we are reconciled to You and to one another. Amen. (Ephesians 5:15-16 are the foundational verses for this prayer)
https://youtu.be/plB84_1CMsY?si=VbtqBTdlWygAnPmT O Praise the LORD, Make His Name Known
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